Puzzle



(No Model.)

v W. E. SHARP.

PUZZLE.

Patented May 19, 1896.

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% A TTURNEYQSI WITNESSE. 523 MW AN DREW. B, GRAHAM P'NUTlH-ITHOv WASH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM ELLSIVORTHSHAR P, OF ANDREIVS, INDIANA.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,305, dated May 19, 1896.

Application filed November 23,1895. Serial No. 569,899. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ELLswoR'rH SHARP, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Andrews, in the county of Huntington and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to puzzles, and the object thereof is to provide an improved device of this class which is simple in construction, and the solution of which, though difficult, may be accomplished by the exercise of care, skill, and patience in the manipulation of the device, a further object being to provide a device of this class which I term The Fox Hunt, and which comprises a box or casing in which are formed a plurality of compound or reverse spirals somewhat in the form of the letter S, and in connection with which are employed a box or housing which is located in one of the spirals, and also a plurality of spherical bodies or balls, some of which are designed to represent foxes and the others to represent dogs; and with this and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, said drawing being a plan view of my improved puzzle.

In the practice of my invention I employ a box or casing comprising a bottom A and sides and ends B and D, the ends being semicircular in form and being formed by continuing the sides B, so as to constitute said semicircles. Within the box or casing are arranged a plurality of spiral flanges G, which are preferably two in number and which are formed into reverse curves similar to the letter S. These flanges are arranged at a predetermined distance apart, so as to form narrow passages or ways H, and within the spiral formed thereby at one end is a space or chamber K, in which is placed a box or housing L,

in one end of which is a door M, and the ends of the spiral are connected at the opposite end, as shown at O, and at irregular intervals along the spiral passages or ways the flanges G, by which said ways or passages are formed, are provided with small openings g, any desired number of said openings being formed. I also employ a plurality of balls or spherical bodies P, which are of such size as to freely pass through the openings or passages g, and another ball or spherical body R, which is larger and which cannot pass through said passages. The smaller balls or spherical bodies P are designed to represent foxes and the larger ball or spherical body to represent a dog, and the solution of the puzzle consists in so manipulating the device as to pass the balls or spherical bodies Pinto the house or box L, said balls or spherical bodies being followed by the ball R as nearly as possible; but it will be understood that the ball or spherical body R cannot enter the box or casing L. This solution is exceedingly difficult by reason of the form of the spiral passages or ways and the communications or openings f; but it may be accomplished by the exercise of care and skill in the manipulation of the device, and said solution is exceedingly interesting and amusing both to the young and old.

Having fully described my invention, its construction and operation, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A puzzle comprising abox or casing composed of a bottom, sides and ends, a plurality of spiral flanges within said box or casing, and connected with the bottom thereof, the ends of which are curved in reverse directions, so as to form spirals at each end of said box or casing and narrow ports or passages or ways between said flanges, a central spiral within one of said spaces containing a box or housing, and a plurality of balls or spherical bodies, some of which are larger than the others, and said flanges being provided with openings or passages therethrough, substantially as shown and described.

2. A puzzle comprising a box or casing composed of a bottom, sides and ends, a plurality of spiral flanges within said box or casing, and connected with the bottom thereof, the ends of which are curved in reverse directions, so as to form spiral coils at each end of said box or casing, and narrow ports or passages between said flanges, a space within one of said spirals containing a box or housing and a plurality of balls or spherieal bodies, some of which are larger than the others, and said flanges being also provided with openings or passages therethrough, and the ends of the spiral flanges opposite the box or housing being united, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing Witnesses, this 18th 10 day of November, 1895.

WILLIAM ELLSWORTII SHARP.

\Vitnesses THOMAS II. BREWER, JACOB II. KAUFMAN. 

